Like a parrot that perched at a homestead and his feather is negotiated for, my restless soul, was following deliberations in my home Branch, NBA Bwari’s April meeting, despite my heading to NBA Calabar.
My too, I have started consultations ahead of 2024. Yes, at the appropriate time-at the anniversary of YC’s tenure in office, I will tell you, which post I desire and solicit your advice, if you think I can serve, add value to news distribution within NBA platforms or should I take care of treasury pot of NBA. Some have even said, who says that the office of the 1st Vice President cannot be within my reach?
My gunpowder is dry, my consultation is still at the periphery of those gunning for the ultimate price of Office of NBA President.
As we are consulting, over 60% of the 128 NBA Branches, are changing baton this June. Charity they say begins at home and the news in my home branch, is not charitable at all.
It was revealed at April meeting of NBA Bwari, held on Friday April 28, that Ashu Alex, the legal adviser, who doubles as Electoral Committee Chairman (what an abuse), announced to the bewildered General Meeting that, the nomination fee for the office of the Chairman, to be eligible to contest, is N300,000(Three Hundred Thousand Naira Only) Same applies to the Secretary, Publicity Secretary while Assistant posts attract the sum of N200,000(Two Hundred Thousand Naira Only).
Casual inquiries I made from my hotel room in Calabar reveals that; these fees were not brought to the Exco for deliberation before it was tabled before the General House.
The General Meeting, was not given ample time to deliberate on it before the Chairman ruled and affirmed that it is now the resolution of the General Meeting.
What would these fees be used? NBA National, do not sell forms to aspirants. Why should a local branch? What is the cost of conducting election in a local branch with less than 1,000 members?
Some aspirants who spoke with me, disturbing my early morning coffee, complained that this monetization, was deliberate to discourage some people from daring to contest.
Whatever be the reason for this astronomical fees, it cannot be justifiable and should not be accepted by members of NBA Bwari. All the Aspirants, should appeal to NBA President, YC Maikyau OON, SAN to impress on and compel the leadership of NBA Bwari on the need to abandon this ill fated journey as it will berth no good fortune for the image of the Bar. Is it no longer humanitarian selfless service to the Bar and colleagues?
Will a man/woman buy form at N300,000, sacrifice his/her time and you expect such person not to soil his fingers with constant dipping into the wet purse of his local branch or giving frivolous award to politicians, who are chronic abusers of Rule of Law?
A stitch in time, shutting down this greedy, kleptomaniac cancer springing up in NBA Bwari, will make sure that other Bars are not infected.
